Ireland Sevens call on the big guns as they get serious about Rio Olympics

Ireland are throwing the kitchen sink at their bid for Olympic qualification.

Anthony Eddy has called up Ireland 15s captain Niamh Briggs for this weekend's Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Grand Prix in Kazan, Russia. Briggs, who led Ireland to the 2015 Six Nations title, has appeared for Irish development sides at recent tournaments in Kinsale, Guildford and Amsterdam. She should make her senior Sevens debut this weekend. Also included in the Irish squad are Shannon Houston, Nicole Cronin and Louise Galvin, who has returned from a spell on the sidelines. Ireland could qualify for Rio 2016 at the end of this month if they win a repechage event taking place at U.C.D. Competition for that event is hotting up. Eddy said:

"The World Series games can be very physical, so we have decided to give some of the players a rest this week, but this will be a great opportunity for the other players coming in to show what they can do. "With Olympic and World Series qualification on the line in UCD at the end of the month, it's important that we have all of our players in peak condition for that."

Ireland have been drawn in Pool B with hosts Russia, Italy and Belgium. IRELAND SQUAD Ashleigh Baxter – Belfast Harlequins / Ulster Niamh Briggs – UL Bohemians / Munster Nicole Cronin – Railway Union / Munster Aoife Doyle – Shannon / Munster Kim Flood - Railway Union / Leinster Stacey Flood – Railway Union / Leinster Louise Galvin - UL Bohemians / Munster Shannon Houston – Blackrock / Leinster Alison Miller – Portlaoise / Connacht Lucy Mulhall – Rathdrum / Leinster - Captain Hannah Tyrrell – Old Belvedere / Leinster Megan Williams – St.Mary's College RFC